Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to participate in AEGON Championships – Tennis News
World number six, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, has confirmed that he will take part in that he will take part in this year’s AEGON Championships at the Queen’s Club in London.
The Frenchman will aim to capture his maiden title at the grass courts. Tsonga, a winner of eight career titles, has all of his championships won on the hard courts and has never raised a trophy on this surface.
The 26-year-old gave his best performance last year. Here at Queen’s Club, he came back from one set down to upset the then world number one Rafael Nadal 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals. Tsonga was near to winning his first
title at grass, as he was leading one set to love against Andy Murray of Great Britain but lost next two sets to go down 6-3, 6-7(2), 4-6 in the final.
The Frenchman carried on his form to the Wimbledon Championships. He reached the last four at SW19 for the first time in his career, beating Swiss Maestro Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.
Tsonga thinks that Queen’s Club is the place which turned him into a top player. This is the same place where he upset former world number one Lleyton Hewitt to break into the top 100 in 2007.
The Frenchman said, “I had an incredible year in 2011, and it all started there (at the AEGON Championships). For me it is really nice, the organisers are very friendly with me, I like the crowd, and it was a really good atmosphere
in the final. I beat Lleyton Hewitt there in 2007 to get into the Top 100 for the first time and that's where I started to do my celebration like this (he demonstrates his jumping celebration with two thumbs pointing to his back).”
Tsonga’s playing style favours him on grass courts. The Frenchman has an aggressive game, having a powerful serve and excellent volley gives him the edge on this fast surface.
The right-hander shared, “I know that I can beat everybody on grass, so why not?” I know on grass that I am a good player. I go to the net and I serve well.”
Tsonga made the best possible start to the season. Playing his first tournament of the year, he defeated Gael Monfils of France in straight sets 7-5, 6-3 in the final at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open.
However, the French faced an upset loss at the hands of fast rising Kei Nishikori at the Australian Open.
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